Avs-Kings 9-23 game roundup

David Jones – in my thinking one of the most important members to any possible good Avalanche fortunes this season – suffered a “bruised chest” in the first period of tonight’s game with the Kings and will not return.

Jonesie has all the tools, but has yet to prove he can stay healthy for a significant period of time in the NHL. Fair or not, that is a factor in how players are evaluated for the long term. Not sure how the injury occurred yet.

Other notes: Wojtek Wolski has been playing right wing in the game. He assisted on Paul Stastny’s goal early in the second period.

T.J. Hensick has yet to get a point in the preseason, and I just don’t know about this kid. Playing at wing doesn’t seem to be working too well either.
*As soon as I just wrote that, Hensick makes a steal at center ice and draws a penalty on a near breakaway.

*Now Hensick scores in the third period to make it 3-1 Avs. Like I said, this kid is great.

Avs take it, 3-2. Outstanding work by “Andy” in net. I’ve really liked what I’ve seen of Craig Anderson so far. As coach Joe Sacco said after the game, Andy has really calm body language in net, and after covering the game as long as I have now, the more relaxed a goalie is, the more the players in front of him seem to relax. In a good way, of course. More confidence, in other words.

Another quick, late note: X-Rays on Jones proved negative. Good news there, but he’ll probably be out a couple days.

I thought Kyle Quincey was outstanding again. If this guy keeps progressing like he has the last year or so, the Avs might have gotten themselves a hell of a young defenseman from the Kings for a guy who was getting on in years.

Sacco had good words for his team afterward, aside from a sluggish start. He liked the “energy of the forwards, he said” and praised Anderson quite a bit. I asked him a question about Wolski playing wing, and how he’s playing overall so far this preseason, and Sacco said Wolski was “better tonight”, but “still isn’t where we need him to be.” He said Wolski is a guy the team is really looking toward in getting to the next level this year.

Here’s some postgame video of Anderson. I will not remind anyone of Mike Wallace with the questions. They’re pretty bad actually. I stutter on a couple of them, and don’t quite make sense in one of them, hence the somewhat confused look on Andy’s face. You’ll also notice my claw hand getting in the way at about the 52-second mark. But it’s still preseason for me too. Starting judging me on opening night.

My print story for tomorrow focuses a lot on rookie left wing Chris Durno, trying to crack a full-time NHL roster spot at age 28. I like Durno and his attitude, and hope he makes it. But this is a tough business, and it’s far from certain. Here’s part of an interview I did with him today in the Avs’ locker room:

Didn’t he have a good or at least solid training camp last season? I expected more out of him during the regular season last year.

Michigan Avalanche Fan

Didn’t he have a good or at least solid training camp last season? I expected more out of him during the regular season last year.

Michigan Avalanche Fan

I was referring to TJ Hensick in the previous post. Hoping that Jones won’t be out long otherwise it may give Ryan O’Riellly more opportunity to make the team; which may not be all bad.

Michigan Avalanche Fan

I was referring to TJ Hensick in the previous post. Hoping that Jones won’t be out long otherwise it may give Ryan O’Riellly more opportunity to make the team; which may not be all bad.

Rob

Keep your day job, AD. Oh wait, this IS your day job. :)
Great caption in the Andy video. Could you have put your hand in on purpose to enliven an otherwise boring interview?

Rob

Keep your day job, AD. Oh wait, this IS your day job. :)
Great caption in the Andy video. Could you have put your hand in on purpose to enliven an otherwise boring interview?

poisonguy

Durno has to stay. The guy is 6’4″ and has decent wheels. The Avs need size and he’s got it. His role would be on the fourth line, so why not give him a shot. Hendricks is giving it his all, but it’s just not enough. Keep Durno.

poisonguy

Durno has to stay. The guy is 6’4″ and has decent wheels. The Avs need size and he’s got it. His role would be on the fourth line, so why not give him a shot. Hendricks is giving it his all, but it’s just not enough. Keep Durno.

Adrian Dater

Rob – I never promised you a Rose garden.
But I really think I have a shot at being a hand model after seeing mine. This could lead to something

Adrian Dater

Rob – I never promised you a Rose garden.
But I really think I have a shot at being a hand model after seeing mine. This could lead to something

Todd

I thought the penalty shot call was pretty weak. From where I was sitting it looked like he was barely touched and didn’t even deserve a penalty. At least Anderson made the save. He was solid again, but he needs to be more careful with the puck. The second Kings’ goal was a result of his giveaway behind the net, and the first goal was scored after the Avs failed to clear the zone after he gave it away.

Todd

I thought the penalty shot call was pretty weak. From where I was sitting it looked like he was barely touched and didn’t even deserve a penalty. At least Anderson made the save. He was solid again, but he needs to be more careful with the puck. The second Kings’ goal was a result of his giveaway behind the net, and the first goal was scored after the Avs failed to clear the zone after he gave it away.

Scott

It’s a preseason game. It means nothing.

Get that through your heads. The Avs are going to S-U-C-K this year. And I mean really SUUUCCCKKKK!!!

You will not have seen hockey as bad as you’re going to see it since the original Colorado Rockies, and they were way past horrible.

SEND DUCHENE BACK TO JUNIORS!!!!! HE’S NOT READY FOR THE NHL! HE’S A THIRD LINE CENTER!

Scott

It’s a preseason game. It means nothing.

Get that through your heads. The Avs are going to S-U-C-K this year. And I mean really SUUUCCCKKKK!!!

You will not have seen hockey as bad as you’re going to see it since the original Colorado Rockies, and they were way past horrible.

SEND DUCHENE BACK TO JUNIORS!!!!! HE’S NOT READY FOR THE NHL! HE’S A THIRD LINE CENTER!

Jeru1975

For those waiting on Wolski to be the player the Avs have always wanted him to be, you’re gonna be waiting a long time. He’s had how many seasons to prove himself to be what the Avs thought he could be? Two? I just don’t see it and I think the Avs were wrong not to trade him for someone better.

Scott…Its pretty stupid to think that the Avs are going to be that much worse than last year. A injury-free season (less anyway), an accountable coach and a MUCH better goalie will make your post what we all know it to be…..nonsense. And thinking Duchene is a third line center basically compares him to Hensick which reveals how little hockey knowledge you have.

Jeru1975

For those waiting on Wolski to be the player the Avs have always wanted him to be, you’re gonna be waiting a long time. He’s had how many seasons to prove himself to be what the Avs thought he could be? Two? I just don’t see it and I think the Avs were wrong not to trade him for someone better.

Scott…Its pretty stupid to think that the Avs are going to be that much worse than last year. A injury-free season (less anyway), an accountable coach and a MUCH better goalie will make your post what we all know it to be…..nonsense. And thinking Duchene is a third line center basically compares him to Hensick which reveals how little hockey knowledge you have.

Debra

Love the blog and the videos! One suggestion though, use your hand to hold your shotgun mic towards the interviewee. It should detach from the camera. And if it doesn’t you can get one for not a lot of $$

Debra

Love the blog and the videos! One suggestion though, use your hand to hold your shotgun mic towards the interviewee. It should detach from the camera. And if it doesn’t you can get one for not a lot of $$

msv81

@ Scott – go troll somewhere else. The Avs probably won’t make the playoffs, but they can’t possibly be worse than last year. Thanks for jumping off the bandwagon, in a couple of years when this team is a perennial contender again, don’t bother jumping back on.

msv81

@ Scott – go troll somewhere else. The Avs probably won’t make the playoffs, but they can’t possibly be worse than last year. Thanks for jumping off the bandwagon, in a couple of years when this team is a perennial contender again, don’t bother jumping back on.

Adam

Why is Ryan Stoa not listed on the Monsters training camp roster?

Adam

Why is Ryan Stoa not listed on the Monsters training camp roster?

Go DU

I believe he’s using an iPod Debra.

Scott, you’re pathetic.

Go DU

I believe he’s using an iPod Debra.

Scott, you’re pathetic.

Adrian Dater

I’m using an iphone 3GS for the videos. What’s this about a detachable camera?

Adrian Dater

I’m using an iphone 3GS for the videos. What’s this about a detachable camera?

Avaranche

“*Now Hensick scores in the third period to make it 3-1 Avs. Like I said, this kid is great.”- hilarious.
Also, AD, you need to take the preseason seriously, just like Sacco said the other day, they are playing like its the regular season, and you need to be reporting as such. Ha- kidding of course.
What scares me the most out of this post is the “sluggish start”- thats what killed them last year.

Can anyone else picture Scott logging on to his mom’s computer after she leaves for work, decked out in his tighty whities, his brand new bertuzzi wings jersey and one of those ridiculous ‘wing nut’ hats??

Avaranche

“*Now Hensick scores in the third period to make it 3-1 Avs. Like I said, this kid is great.”- hilarious.
Also, AD, you need to take the preseason seriously, just like Sacco said the other day, they are playing like its the regular season, and you need to be reporting as such. Ha- kidding of course.
What scares me the most out of this post is the “sluggish start”- thats what killed them last year.

Can anyone else picture Scott logging on to his mom’s computer after she leaves for work, decked out in his tighty whities, his brand new bertuzzi wings jersey and one of those ridiculous ‘wing nut’ hats??

ForReal

Adrian, are you for real?
do you prepare your questions at all?
take some time before the interview to prepare a good question or two, its not that hard!
if there is no question, dont ask it!
I cant believe andy answers you on that “youthfullness” question. I would expect him to just ignore the question, or ask you to try again with a real question.

Whats also frustrating is that since the question is pointless the answer is even more pointless, the answer is just a hockey cliche. I now understand why Sakic was “quoteless”. He just didnt want to put up with dumb questions and was probably tired of shooting out stereotypical answers!

ForReal

Adrian, are you for real?
do you prepare your questions at all?
take some time before the interview to prepare a good question or two, its not that hard!
if there is no question, dont ask it!
I cant believe andy answers you on that “youthfullness” question. I would expect him to just ignore the question, or ask you to try again with a real question.

Whats also frustrating is that since the question is pointless the answer is even more pointless, the answer is just a hockey cliche. I now understand why Sakic was “quoteless”. He just didnt want to put up with dumb questions and was probably tired of shooting out stereotypical answers!

Dario

ForReal,

It’s a LONG season and you can’t prepare any earth shattering questions at this point. The real issue right now is that with Altitude being owned by KSE and Dater being the only beat reporter / hockey writer in the room (RMN defunct and Frei doing other stuff for some reason) there’s only ONE guy in the room ever asking questions any more and that’s Dater.

There’s just one reporter asking questions in the room and it frankly sucks. Altitude should take the reigns off their radio and TV staff and let them speak their minds and ask the tough questions.

Dario

ForReal,

It’s a LONG season and you can’t prepare any earth shattering questions at this point. The real issue right now is that with Altitude being owned by KSE and Dater being the only beat reporter / hockey writer in the room (RMN defunct and Frei doing other stuff for some reason) there’s only ONE guy in the room ever asking questions any more and that’s Dater.

There’s just one reporter asking questions in the room and it frankly sucks. Altitude should take the reigns off their radio and TV staff and let them speak their minds and ask the tough questions.

frank

I hope they keep Hendricks and send Durno to Lake Erie…

frank

I hope they keep Hendricks and send Durno to Lake Erie…

Al

I imagine “Scott” is a Wings fan and has nothing better to do that type on his computer because he, like most of Detroit, is without a job. Trll somewhere else.Go Av's!!!!

Al

I imagine “Scott” is a Wings fan and has nothing better to do that type on his computer because he, like most of Detroit, is without a job. Trll somewhere else.

Go Av’s!!!!

bobble1

I think David Jones has been a major flop. The guy will have a game or two in which he plays decently and then he disappears for a week or so. To hang the season on the fortunes of this guy seems to be dooming the season before it even begins. Have to give Hensick that same review, too.

bobble1

I think David Jones has been a major flop. The guy will have a game or two in which he plays decently and then he disappears for a week or so. To hang the season on the fortunes of this guy seems to be dooming the season before it even begins. Have to give Hensick that same review, too.

Anonymous

I think David Jones has been a major flop. The guy will have a game or two in which he plays decently and then he disappears for a week or so. To hang the season on the fortunes of this guy seems to be dooming the season before it even begins. Have to give Hensick that same review, too.

bobble1

I think David Jones has been a major flop. The guy will have a game or two in which he plays decently and then he disappears for a week or so. To hang the season on the fortunes of this guy seems to be dooming the season before it even begins. Have to give Hensick that same review, too.

Terry Frei graduated from Wheat Ridge High School in the Denver area and has degrees in history and journalism from the University of Colorado-Boulder. He worked for the Rocky Mountain News while attending CU and joined the Post staff after graduation. He has also worked at the Oregonian in Portland, Ore., and The Sporting News. His seventh book, March 1939: Before the Madness, was issued in February 2014.

Chambers covers college and professional hockey for The Denver Post. He has written for the Post since 1994, after dumping his first 9-to-5 office job a couple years out of college. He primarily follows the University of Denver hockey team and helps cover the Avalanche.